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Lifeline is this week asking the public for donations so it can answer all calls to its suicide prevention helpline. The Herald spoke to some of those involved with the 50-year-old institution and why they are backing its campaign.

Nearly three years ago, John Herlihy was preparing to attempt a world shearing record.

The Taranaki farmer had enlisted his six sons for the task of shearing 3000 sheep in eight hours at an event in Gisborne.

But 10 days before the event, his youngest son Michael took his own life.

"You think, bloody hell, someone else is going through what we had to go through.

"To have somebody, your own son, your own brother - you think it's never going to happen to you, but it did happen to us."

Bereft and looking for a way to respond, he and wife Pat have thrown their energy into fundraising for suicide awareness and prevention organisations.

The family has held 24-hour "shearathons" at their home in Whangamomona, eastern Taranaki. Their efforts have raised $70,000 for Lifeline and local charities.

The alarming suicide statistics make Herlihy even more determined to get people talking about the issue.

"I can't tell you exactly how we're going to save a person's life but it's getting pretty tragic when there's 600 people a year [dying].

"We're doing our best to make people talk about it. I think that's the story . If you're worried about somebody, don't leave them alone.

"Go and play golf, or go fishing, or go hunting or a coffee or a beer or something. Because in our case we didn't have a clue at all."

Where to get help:

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.